The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning that Nigerian universities may face another nationwide shutdown if the federal government fails to address lingering issues affecting the education sector.

Speaking after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, ASUU leaders expressed frustration over what they described as government’s continued neglect of agreements reached in previous negotiations. The union highlighted unresolved matters such as funding for university revitalization, payment of earned academic allowances, and the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as alternatives to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, noted that the union has exhausted patience, stressing that the government’s failure to honor commitments is pushing the academic system toward collapse. He warned that unless urgent steps are taken, the union may have no choice but to embark on another strike, which would paralyze academic activities across all federal and state universities.

The warning comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s struggling higher education system, where students and lecturers alike have endured repeated disruptions due to strikes. The last major ASUU strike in 2022 lasted eight months, leaving students stranded and sparking widespread criticism of both the union and government.

For many Nigerians, the prospect of another shutdown is deeply worrying. Parents fear the impact on their children’s academic progress, while students lament the uncertainty that has become a hallmark of university education in the country.

ASUU insists that its demands are not selfish but aimed at ensuring quality education and sustainable funding for universities. The union has called on the federal government to act swiftly to avert another crisis, warning that the consequences of inaction would be dire for Nigeria’s future.